Jet agitation of a solution



A ril 15, 1969 G. HESKESTAD JET AGITATION OF A SOLUTION Sheet Filed Sept. 5, 1967 FIG.1

RIGHT SUCTION SOURCE WASH TAN K SUCTION SOURCE FIG.5

INVENTOR.

Gunna r Heskesfad BY TORNEY A ril 15, 1969 G. HESKESTAD JET AGITATION OF A SOLUTION Filed Sept. 5, 1967 Sheet 2 of 2 PUMP & f

FLUID AMPLIFIER /I6 11 33A F166 (24Al(22fi 5(2(28) i245) I RECIPROCATING I DFf/lg/E 68 TO INLET 18 TOINLET 2o FIG.3 F|G.4

TO INLET IS TO INLET 2O 7B 43A 4335 47A L 40 FROM FEED LINE Is 378 FLUID A1II IIAIPI IFIER INVENTOR.

FROM FEED LINE I6 FLUID AMPLIFIER Gunnar Heskesrad ATTORNEY United States Patent US. Cl. 8-158 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention provides a method for feeding one or more jets of a fluid to a tank. Each jet of fluid is supplied through an individual orifice. Suction is applied to each jet in the region of its orifice and the amount of suction is continuously varied between predetermined limits to deflect the corresponding jet through corresponding angles.

This is a continuation-in-part of my applications, Ser. Nos. 529,985 now Patent No. 3,358,477 and 530,181, now Patent No. 3,358,478, both filed on Feb. 25, 1966, relating to jet agitation in a washing machine.

This invention pertains to improvements in washing machines and more particularly to improvements in the jet agitation of the wash solution in the wash tank of a washing machine.

The wash solution agitators in common home washing machines usually comprise a rotationally oscillating vane configuration. The washing of clothes in the wash tank is caused by agitator produced turbulent convection of the Water solution past and through the material being washed.

Although this type of wash solution motion adequately cleans the material in the wash tank, the rotationally oscillating vane configuration is a combination of movable parts which are mechanically driven. Accordingly, because of the constant movement of these parts during the wash cycle, the parts are subject to wear.

It is accordingly, a general object of the invention to provide improvements for creating the agitator action in washing machines.

It is another object of the invention to provide for the agitation of the wash solution in a washing machine by utilizing methods which are more .simple than those presently available in rotational type agitators.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved methods for producing turbulent convection of the wash solution in the wash tank of a washing machine.

Briefly, the invention contemplates agitating the wash solution in the Wash tank of a washing machine by feeding one or more jets of wash solution into the wash tank and controllably applying suction at a varying rate to at least one portion of the jet or jets of solution at its region of entry into the wash tank. Thus, the direction of entry of the jet or jets of solution can be varied. In fact, the jet or jets of solution will scan or sweep across the region inside of the wash tank and induce the desired turbulent convection of the wash solution in the wash tank.

Other objects and the features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read together with the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example and not limitation, preferred apparatus for practicing the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the wash solution system of a washing machine which shows in cross-section the solution jet producing means and the suction means for controlling the direction of entry of the jet of solution into the wash tank;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the wash solution system of a washing machine which includes a fluid amplifier for controllably injecting two jets of wash solution into a wash tank;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a proportional type fluid amplifier;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a bistable type flu amplifier;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the peripheral edge of one of the orifices of the arrangements of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a suction system for controlling the direction of flow of the jet or jets of solution.

Referring now to FIG. 1, those parts of a washing machine concerned with the invention are shown. In particular, there is a cylindrical wash tank 10 having a wash solution outlet 12. which is connected by a return line 13 to the input of a pump 14. The output of pump 14 is connected via a feed line 16 to an orifice 18 which is opposite a slat-like opening 20. Opening 20 is in the circumferential wall of wash tank (10.

Pump 14 drives a sheet-like jet of solution from orifice 18 into wash tank 10. The solution is recirculated via a path which includes outlet 12 and return line 13 to the input of pump 14.

Of course, a complete washing machine solution circulation system would include valving means to control the initial introduction of water into the system and the final removal of wash solution from the system. Since the invention is not concerned with these aspects of the washing machine, they are not shown.

In order to produce the scanning sweep of the jet of solution, the orifice 18 fits in the inlet 20 such that there are a pair of slit-like gaps 22 between the orifice 18 and the opposed peripheral edges of the inlet 20. Each of the gaps communicates with a chamber 24. Chamber 24A is connected to the right suction source 26A and chamber 24B is connected to left suction source 26B.

It has been found that by applying suction to a portion of the peripheral edge of an orifice which is expelling a jet of fluid, the direction of the jet of fluid will be deflected toward the direction of the region of the application of the peripheral edge suction. Thus, for example, when right suction source 26A is operative, suction is applied to the right hand gap 22A (as viewed in FIG. 1) and the sheetlike jet is deflected to the right of the line connecting inlet 20 and outlet 12. Similarly, operation of left suction source 26B causes a leftward deflection of the jet of solution. The degree of deflection is to a certain extent controlled by the suction rate.

When the dimensions of the gap 22A are chosen according to the following criteria, optimum deflection of the jet is obtained. The gap width G (FIG. 5) should be between a half and ten percent of the width or diameter D (FIG. 1) of the orifice 18. In addition, the angle of inclination A of the gap 22A with respect to the inner wall 18A of orifice 18 (FIG. 5) should be in the range of thirty to ninety degrees. Generally, the larger the inclination angle of the gap and the greater the width of the gap, the greater the deflection of the jet of solution. However, greater suction rates are required. The same criteria holds for gap 22B.

If suction sources 26A and 26B are alternately energized then the sheet-like jet will oscillatingly scan or sweep the interior of wash tank 10. Furthermore, by varying the rates of suction of the sources and their cycle of alternation, the turbulent convection of the wash solution can be controlled.

In FIG. 2 the output of rump 14 is connected via feed line 16 to a fluid amplifier 17 which controllably feeds two jets of wash solution to the inlets 18 and 20 of wash tank 10. Amplifier 17 can alternately feed the jets of wash solution to wash tank or can control the delivery rate of wash solution. By controlling the alternation and/ or rates of flow of the jets, the desired turbulent convection of the wash solution is obtained. The solution is, of course, recirculated via a path which includes outlet 12 and return line 13 to the input of pump 14.

The fluid amplifier 17 utilizes the phenomenon of applying suction to the peripheral edge of an orifice to laterally divert a stream of fluid entering the amplifier to mutually displaced 'outputs of the amplifier.

Accordingly, FIG. 3 shows a proportional type amplifier. The amplifier 17 includes an inlet power conduit having an inlet adapted to receive fluid under pressure from feed line 16 and an outlet orifice 32. The center of the outlet orifice 32 is on the central axis C and the plane of the outlet orifice 32 is perpendicular to the central axis C. Power conduit 30 is a nozzle which provides a free stream of fluid for expulsion from the outlet orifice 32. The inlet of a chamber 34 is connected to the outlet orifice 32. Chamber 34 is provided with side walls 38 that are radially displaced from the axis C so that the turbulent mixing layers of fluid do not contact the side walls. A suitable shape for the chamber is generally cardioidal. The end of chamber 34 downstream from the output orifice 32 has two outlet regions 39A and 39B. Outlet regions 39A and 39B are laterally displaced from the central axis C and are positioned diametrically opposite each other with respect to traverse directions from the central axis C. A fluid divider 31 separates the outlet region 39A from the outlet region 39B. In such a case, the stream of pressurized fluid expelled from outlet orifice 32 divides, substantially equally, to exit via the outlet regions 39A and 39B.

Proportional control and amplification are indicated by the difference in the fluid flow exiting from the outlet regions 39A and 39B. In order ot obtain this proportional control, it is necessary to preferentially divert the fluid to one of the outlet regions. Diversion or deflection of the fluid flow is obtained, in accordance with the invention, by providing the outlet orifice 32 with slits in its peripheral edge and by the differential application of pressure to these slits. Therefore, slits 33A and 33B are disposed in the peripheral edge of outlet orifice 32. The slits are diametrically opposite each other and traversely aligned with the outlet regions 39. If desired, the slit 33A would be made to have the same traverse angle with respect to the central axis C as the slit 33B has with respect to the central axis C. The suction chambers 35 are respectively connected t sources of suction 37.

When no suction is applied to either of the slits 33 or when equal suction is applied thereto, the stream of fluid expelled from outlet orifice 32 divides equally to exit via the outlet regions 39. However, when there exists a differential suction between the suction chambers 35, fluid is preferentially diverted to one of the outlet regions 39. F r example, if the suction chamber 35A has applied thereto a greater rate of suction than the suction chamber 35B, more of the fluid will exit via the outlet region 39A. As the suction differential increases, more and more fluid exits via the outlet region 39A until all of the fluid exits from the region 39A. In other words, the amount of the fluid exiting from region 39A is proportional to the diff rential in suction applied to the slits 33.

While the proportional amplifier described with respect to FIG. 3 performs amplifications in the usual sense, it is possible to modify the amplifier to provide a bistable amplifier, that is, an amplier in which, once the output stream is diverted to a particular channel, the stream remains flowing in that channel until deflected to another channel. Such an amplifier is similar to flip-flo s and trigger circuits in the electronic art. Such an amplifier utilizes the Coanda effect wherein fluid expelled under pressure into the chamber will adhere to one of the walls 4 of the chamber downstream from the orifice until a sufficient disturbance deflects it to the other wall.

With this in mind, a bistable amplifier 17' will be described with respect to FIG. 4. The amplifier comprises an input power conduit 40 having an inlet adapted to receive fluid under pressure and an outlet orifice 42. The input power conduit 40 is a nozzle which suppresses turbulence in the fluid as it reaches the outlet orifice 42. The plane of the outlet orifice 42 is perpendicular to the central axis C and the center of the outlet orifice 42 is preferably disposed on central axis C. Connected to the inlet power conduit 40 is a chamber 44 including an inlet connected to the outlet orifice 42. Chamber 44 has side wall portions 48 that flare outwardly from the inlet. The portion of chamber 44 downstream from outlet orifice 42 is provided with outlets 49 which are disposed at diametrically opposite regions radially displaced from the central axis C. Extending into chamber 44 is a fluid divider 51. Fluid divider 51 has side wall portions 52 that are opposite the side wall portions 48 of chamber 44. The side wall portions 52 converge to a point 53 on the central axis C and face the outlet orifice 42. Therefore, the side wall portions 52 of divider 51 cooperating with the side wall portions 48 of chamber 44 provide two channels which exit at the outlets 49. Fluid expelled from outlet orifice 42 will travel in either one of the channels. However, because of the Coanda eflect, the expelled fluid will only travel in either one of the channels. In order to divert the expelled fluid controllably to a selected channel the peripheral edge of outlet orifice 42 is provided with a pair of slits 43. Slits 43 are diametrically disposed about the periphery of outlet orifice 42. Slit 43A is traversely aligned with the channel defined by wall portion 48A and wall portion 52A; and slit 43B is traversely aligned with the channel defined by wall portion 48B and wall portion 528. Each of the slits 43 is respectively connected to suction sources 47. For example, suction source 47A applies suction to suction chamber A which is connected to slit 43A.

In operation, the output stream will exit from one of the outlets 49 depending on some previous transient condition. Assume that the fluid is exiting via outlet 49A. The fluid will continue to exit from that outlet until a suction pulse from source 47B is applied to suction chamber 45B. The suction created in chamber 45B introduces edge suction at the slit 43B and the stream will be diverted from the outlet 49A to the outlet 49B. The state of the device will remain so until a suction pulse is applied to the suction chamber 45A by the suction source 47A. At that time, the outlet stream will swing over to the outlet 49A.

In other words, the stream looks into one of two stable states and remains in that state until forcibly diverted to the other state.

In order to obtain maximum control of the jet expelled from the orifice, certain slit geometry is required, as already explained in connection with FIGS. 1 and 5. Generally, the larger the inclination angle A of the slit and the greater the width of the slit G, the greater the deflection of the jet. However, with larger inclination angles and slit widths, greater suction rates are required. The slit geometry therefore also applies to both the fluid amplifiers 17 and 17.

In FIG. 6, there is shown schematically means for alternately applying suction to the slits 22A and 223 (FIG. 1) or to the slits 33A and 33B of the amplifier 17 (FIG. 3). A conduit 68 connects the chambers 24A and 24B (FIG. 1) or the chambers 35A and 35B (FIG. 3). Within the conduit 68 is a piston 70 which is reciprocatingly driven by drive 72. When the piston 70 moves to the right (as shown in FIG. 6), suction occurs, for example, in chamber 35A and pressure occurs in chamber 35B. The suction at the left slit 33A will deflect the jet of solution to the left. This deflection is slightly reinforced by the pressure at the right slit 35B. A complementary effect occurs when the piston 70 moves to the left. A similar device can be used for applying suction to slits 43 of fluid amplifier 17' (FIG. 4).

There have thus been shown improvements in generating jet agitated turbulent convection in the wash solution in the wash tank of a washing machine. In particular, by controllably introducing one or two jets of wash solution into the wash tank of a washing machine, the desired agitation is obtained with a minimum of apparatus.

While the arrangements shown employ one or two jets merely for the purpose of illustration, the invention is readily applicable to arrangements employing any desired number of jets, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

While only several embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail, there will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications and variations satisfying any, or all, of the objects of the invention but which do not depart from the spirit thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The method of agitating the wash solution in the Wash tank of a washing machine comprising the steps of feeding at least one jet of wash solution into the wash tank and controllably applying suction at a varying rate to at least one portion of the jet of wash solution at its region of entry into the wash tank and thereby produce turbulent convection of the wash solution.

2. The method of agitating the wash solution in the wash tank of a washing machine comprising the steps of feeding at least two jets of wash solution into the wash tank of the washing machine, controllably applying suction to said jets and thereby producing turbulent convection of the wash solution.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the jets of wash solution are fed into the wash tank at varying rates of flow.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the jets of Wash solution are alternately fed into the wash tank.

5. A method according to claim 1 in which the suction is reciprocatingly applied between two predetermined limits so as to vary the direction of the jet of the wash solution between two corresponding limits.

6. The method of feeding a solution to a tank and controlling its path which consists in feeding a jet of the solution through an orifice in the tank and controllably applying suction to the jet substantially at its port of entry into the tank so as to deflect the jet.

7. The method of claim 6 in which the angle of deflection of the jet is periodically varied between two predetermined limits by correspondingly varying the degree of suction applied to the jet.

8. The method of feeding fluid to a tank and causing the fluid to scan the tank, which consists in feeding a jet of the fluid through an orifice in the tank, applying suction to the jet substantially at its port of entry into the tank, and periodically and continuously varying the amount of suction applied to the jet at the port of entry.

9. The method according to claim 8 in which the suction is applied over a gap Width which is between a half and ten percent of the width of the orifice.

10. The method of producing turbulence in a jet of fluid being fed to a tank through an orifice therein, which consists in applying suction to the jet substantially at the region of entry of the jet into the tank, and periodically and continuously varying the amount of pressure of the suction.

11. The method of feeding and agitating a fluid to be supplied to a tank, which consists in feeding a plurality of jets of the fluid through corresponding orifices in the tank, and periodically and controllably applying suction to each of the jets substantially at the region of the orifices in the tank.

12. The method according to claim 11 in which the suction is applied to each of the jets intermittently and at varying suction pressures.

13. The method according to claim 11 in which the suction is applied diiferentially to the several jets.

14. The method of energizing a body Within a tank which consists in feeding a plurality of jets of fluid through orifices in said tank sequentially, and controllably applying suction to each of said jets substantially at the region of the orifices.

15. A method according to claim 14 in which the suction of each jet is applied through substantially the same angular patterns.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,358,477 12/1967 Heskestad 68-184 3,358,478 12/1967 Heskestad 68--l84 WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 137-83; 259 

